Endofanera7 is correct.
A radar detector will only detect when a cop is using his radar (or laser). I've found most cops don't leave their radar on while in motion, so you still have to keep your eyes open.

As for the best one. Most people are either a Valentine 1 or Escort fan.
V1 is more sensitive to false readings, but it also gives you an earlier warning. It also has the arrows.
Escort is better at filtering out bogeys, but not as sensitive. The newer one allows for programming of speed cameras.

is this a serious thread???
There are stationary and moving radars. Teh stationary, such as laser, or the radr gun you see the cop pointing at you can be on while in the car but it not likely. unless he is sitting in there using it, but they cannot be used while the cop/car is in motion.
there are also moving radars that are mounted in the car, and they can clock you while the cop car is in motion. The are wired into the car and they have to adjust for the police vehicle speed to get the readings of the other car.
hope that helps.

is this a serious thread???
There are stationary and moving radars. Teh stationary, such as laser, or the radr gun you see the cop pointing at you can be on while in the car but it not likely. unless he is sitting in there using it, but they cannot be used while the cop/car is in motion.
there are also moving radars that are mounted in the car, and they can clock you while the cop car is in motion. The are wired into the car and they have to adjust for the police vehicle speed to get the readings of the other car.
hope that helps.

+1 100% correct... your detector will not distinguish between a stationary radar and a moving one...

You can't go wrong with a Cobra or Rocky Mountain Radar. The former detects the most bands while the latter has added radar and laser jamming capability!*

*No the above is a joke. Cobra and RMR are garbage. While Valentine 1 and Escort 9500 are considered top performers, Whistler makes good detectors at reasonable prices. You are also correct in that radar detectors are not cop detectors and will not make you ticket-proof. In fact, anyone thinking they can drive like crazy with a detector on their dashboard will be in for a rude and costly awakening. To learn more please visit radardetector.net.

I personally have 9500i. I use to have the v1 but it false too much. The GPS feature in the 9500 is useful. And it displays my speed on the radar and tell me exactly how fast I am going. (since I have 19s my speedometer isn't accurate)

I personally have 9500i. I use to have the v1 but it false too much. The GPS feature in the 9500 is useful. And it displays my speed on the radar and tell me exactly how fast I am going. (since I have 19s my speedometer isn't accurate)

As far as radar detectors go, "best" is very subjective. If 90% of my driving were highway driving, I'd probably go with the V1 because it is slightly more sensitive than the Escort 9500, and you won't have to worry too much about false alerts on the highway.

For me, at least 50% of my driving is in the city, and the V1 simply falsed too often. The 9500ix gives you more than enough range, and it almost never falses because it memorizes the GPS location of false alerts either manually (with the 9500i and 9500ix) or automatically (with the 9500ix). Knowing where the red light and radar cameras are around town is an added bonus.

i always go on the thought of a Radar detector being a glorified paper weight if you don't learn how to read it correctly or if you don't use it correctly (like traveling 100MPH over the limit and expect enough alert time to slow down).
a Radar detector has to work for you personally so you should find out what you like and don't like.

had a V1 many years ago but it just gave you a bunch of useful info on which you must take the all in account then figure out if your alarm is a cop or a grocery store.

last two cars i owned i went with a K-40 mostly due to the fact you have nothing but two led's being seen and to be honest the only things you ever need to see. combine the two leds with audio tone and your speed you should always have enough time to slow down if you need to. there are better radar detectors the pickup further down the road but i never needed something to pickup a radar in the next town personally, given the fact if i do speed its only 20 over so a K-40 will always give me enough alert time to slow down. i also looked into custom installed Bel and escort stuff but i think those are way over done on display and useless features, i want it the detector to do a basic job in a basic way all while looking factory installed.

here is a pic of the two LED's installed in my Z4 cluster, looks stock? that's the point. you have a better chance of your Radar detector getting stolen then for it to actually save you from a ticket.

if anyone disagrees with me on this subject then feel free, i am not using your detector nor are you driving my car..again its what the person feels comfortable with more then what is the best.

i always go on the thought of a Radar detector being a glorified paper weight if you don't learn how to read it correctly or if you don't use it correctly (like traveling 100MPH over the limit and expect enough alert time to slow down).
a Radar detector has to work for you personally so you should find out what you like and don't like.

had a V1 many years ago but it just gave you a bunch of useful info on which you must take the all in account then figure out if your alarm is a cop or a grocery store.

last two cars i owned i went with a K-40 mostly due to the fact you have nothing but two led's being seen and to be honest the only things you ever need to see. combine the two leds with audio tone and your speed you should always have enough time to slow down if you need to. there are better radar detectors the pickup further down the road but i never needed something to pickup a radar in the next town personally, given the fact if i do speed its only 20 over so a K-40 will always give me enough alert time to slow down. i also looked into custom installed Bel and escort stuff but i think those are way over done on display and useless features, i want it the detector to do a basic job in a basic way all while looking factory installed.

here is a pic of the two LED's installed in my Z4 cluster, looks stock? that's the point. you have a better chance of your Radar detector getting stolen then for it to actually save you from a ticket.

if anyone disagrees with me on this subject then feel free, i am not using your detector nor are you driving my car..again its what the person feels comfortable with more then what is the best.

For sensitivity, capabilities and functionality --> V1 is the best. I never thought that the Arrows would be such a big deal, until I bought the V1 and realized that ALL radar detectors should have the arrows...an invaluable feature, imho.

For looks and 'almost as good' functionality (not nearly as sensitive as the V1 though) --> Escort Passport

A couple notes though...

1) Anyone who says the V1 is "too sensitive" or gives too many false signals...you need to go into the hidden user menu and change some settings like turn off X band and limit the signal alerts for K band, etc. The V1 Web site shows you how to get into this menu and how to easily change the settings...they use the arrows to work like toggle switches.

2) The one thing I think that sucks about the V1 is the fact that it doesn't specifically say "K," "Ka" or "Laser" like the Passport. A tiny led light next to the white printed symbol (K, Ka, or Laser) doesn't cut it and you cannot see that writing on the V1 unit (K, Ka, or Laser) at night...it's not light up. Just stupid, imho; they could have easily had the symbol light up so you can visually see it day or night; i.e why not show the alert in bright red LED saying "Ka" alert or "Laser" alert?

As far as radar detectors go, "best" is very subjective. If 90% of my driving were highway driving, I'd probably go with the V1 because it is slightly more sensitive than the Escort 9500, and you won't have to worry too much about false alerts on the highway.

For me, at least 50% of my driving is in the city, and the V1 simply falsed too often. The 9500ix gives you more than enough range, and it almost never falses because it memorizes the GPS location of false alerts either manually (with the 9500i and 9500ix) or automatically (with the 9500ix). Knowing where the red light and radar cameras are around town is an added bonus.